Well I'm officially going to finish over .500 for the season. I'm not using it as one of my picks today but I love Chicago against the Jets. It's tough to trust Sanchez of late but it's even harder to trust him trying to play through some torn cartilage in his shoulder.
**Baltimore (-4) at Cleveland**
Cleveland has lost their pluck. They had some nice wins earlier in the year but now they are just a flat football team.
Detroit (+3.5) at Miami
Shaun Hill runs that offense pretty well and Miami can't win at home. I can see Miami pulling this game out but the half point really swayed me on this one.
Tennessee at Kansas City (-4)
Kansas City is still clinging to the AFC West which they need to make the playoffs as the wild card is pretty much out for them. So on top of still playing for something which Tennessee is not, the Chiefs take care of business at home.
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 25-18-2
Pick of the Week: 9-5-1
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Bobs NFL Picks: Week 16
Well, I really crapped the bed last week with an 0-3 showing. Keith and I have both had weeks where we rushed our picks, but none were as dumb as me doing it last week when I had pulled into a virtual tie with him. Now, I'm 2 games back with 2 weeks to go and I need to deliver the goods this week. Some lines look too good to be true, so I hope these are smart picks.
Ravens (-4) @ Browns: This is a tricky bet, but the Ravens could really benefit from a win today and the Browns have nothing left to play for.
Jets (+2.5) @ Chicago: I haven't believed in the Bears at any point this season, so why start now?
Patriots (-9) @ Buffalo: This was a last minute switch (I was toying b/t Miami or Oakland instead) but the fact is, the Pats wants to wrap up their regular season today and I expect them to do so. Cold weather and bad conditions have never slowed them down before so I expect today to be no different.
Last Week: 0-3
Season: 23-19-3
Ravens (-4) @ Browns: This is a tricky bet, but the Ravens could really benefit from a win today and the Browns have nothing left to play for.
Jets (+2.5) @ Chicago: I haven't believed in the Bears at any point this season, so why start now?
Patriots (-9) @ Buffalo: This was a last minute switch (I was toying b/t Miami or Oakland instead) but the fact is, the Pats wants to wrap up their regular season today and I expect them to do so. Cold weather and bad conditions have never slowed them down before so I expect today to be no different.
Last Week: 0-3
Season: 23-19-3
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Breaking News - UConn Women Break The Record...8 Months Ago!!!
They use two different size balls, balls that differ in weight, balls that have different inflating pressure, the 3 point lines are different and the shot clocks are different. With all these differences, why is the UConn's womens team's current winning streak being compared with the UCLA mens team? They are two different games. I'm not saying it's not impressive what they are doing but it shouldn't be compared to the men's record just because both sports are basketball. If the men's record were the all time record for NCAA sports it would be a different but it's not. The University of Miami's men's tennis team won 137 straight matches once. I know it's not the same for everyone but for me, you might as well be comparing women's basketball and men's tennis. They are both played on a court with a round ball. That's almost as many similarities as men's and women's college basketball have. Talk to me when they break that record and stop wasting SportsCenter time on the record UConn is just extending a record they broke in March...the WOMEN'S BASKETBALL record.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Bob's Week 15 picks
Bob asked me to get his picks in since he's not around a computer.
Chicago @ Minnesota (+8)
Jets @ Pittsburgh (-4)
Houston (+1) @ Tennessee
Chicago @ Minnesota (+8)
Jets @ Pittsburgh (-4)
Houston (+1) @ Tennessee
2010 NFL Picks - Week 15
I don't think I'm making these picks with a clear head. One of my picks today are wishful thinking because I'm really relying on them for fantasy playoff purposes.
Detroit at Tampa Bay (-4.5)
So I'm starting Josh Freeman, Mike Williams and LaGarrett Blount in my fantasy playoffs this week so I'm just doing my part with the power of positive thinking.
Philadelphia (+3) at New York Giants
Eli Manning has regressed to an extremely mediocre QB. He's Jay Cutler 2009. If Asante Samuels plays than this is my pick of the week. But since won't know that for sure, this one is...
**Jacksonville (+4.5) at Indianapolis**
I'm over the thinking that Indianapolis is without a doubt going to end up making the playoffs. Jacksonville will keep this one close.
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 24-16-2
Pick of the Week: 9-4-1
Detroit at Tampa Bay (-4.5)
So I'm starting Josh Freeman, Mike Williams and LaGarrett Blount in my fantasy playoffs this week so I'm just doing my part with the power of positive thinking.
Philadelphia (+3) at New York Giants
Eli Manning has regressed to an extremely mediocre QB. He's Jay Cutler 2009. If Asante Samuels plays than this is my pick of the week. But since won't know that for sure, this one is...
**Jacksonville (+4.5) at Indianapolis**
I'm over the thinking that Indianapolis is without a doubt going to end up making the playoffs. Jacksonville will keep this one close.
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 24-16-2
Pick of the Week: 9-4-1
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Why's Everyone Trippin'? Reaction to Sal Alosi
Sorry. That's an awful title. In reaction to the latest story on Sal Alosi:
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5922926
At this point I think this story is getting way out of hand. First of all, Sal Alosi should have been fired immediately. People get in trouble for "what could have happened" all the time and Sal Alosi could have ended Nolan Carroll's career. You never know. But where this story is picking up unnecessary steam is about the wall that the undressed Jets players made. Initially the popular belief was that they didn't fire him because because he would probably start throwing other Jets coaches under the bus and now instead of suspending Alosi for the remainder of the season to suspending him indefinitely for ordering the players to make the wall.
I don't see what the big deal is about the wall. If a gunner has a harder time getting back in the field of play therefore taking him out of the play I think it's a good move and I'm sure the Jets aren't the only team to do something like that. If it's against the rules then the refs should have flagged them for it. I'm sure they were just told to stand there and not do anything. Just make the guy have to run around some obstacles if he went out of bounds that far.
What's going to end up happening is that more is going to come out of this because I think there is a 0% chance that Alosi came up with the wall on his own. He's only a strength and conditioning coach. That means he was tasked with getting those guys lined up by a higher up coach. To me it doesn't matter if it was Mike Westhoff or Rex Ryan. There is no reason to cover anything up. If there is something wrong with the player wall, the refs should be calling it. Apparently they've been doing it all year. If Carroll happened to go further out of bounds and ran in to Alosi just standing where he was, this all would be a non issue. He wouldn't have been flagged. There is not a doubt in my mind they were coached to stand where they were. Where the media and non-Jets fans seem to be getting hung up is that Sal Alosi was not coached to stick out his knee and take a player out. He did that on his own. That's why he should have been fired and the book should be closed on this already.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5922926
At this point I think this story is getting way out of hand. First of all, Sal Alosi should have been fired immediately. People get in trouble for "what could have happened" all the time and Sal Alosi could have ended Nolan Carroll's career. You never know. But where this story is picking up unnecessary steam is about the wall that the undressed Jets players made. Initially the popular belief was that they didn't fire him because because he would probably start throwing other Jets coaches under the bus and now instead of suspending Alosi for the remainder of the season to suspending him indefinitely for ordering the players to make the wall.
I don't see what the big deal is about the wall. If a gunner has a harder time getting back in the field of play therefore taking him out of the play I think it's a good move and I'm sure the Jets aren't the only team to do something like that. If it's against the rules then the refs should have flagged them for it. I'm sure they were just told to stand there and not do anything. Just make the guy have to run around some obstacles if he went out of bounds that far.
What's going to end up happening is that more is going to come out of this because I think there is a 0% chance that Alosi came up with the wall on his own. He's only a strength and conditioning coach. That means he was tasked with getting those guys lined up by a higher up coach. To me it doesn't matter if it was Mike Westhoff or Rex Ryan. There is no reason to cover anything up. If there is something wrong with the player wall, the refs should be calling it. Apparently they've been doing it all year. If Carroll happened to go further out of bounds and ran in to Alosi just standing where he was, this all would be a non issue. He wouldn't have been flagged. There is not a doubt in my mind they were coached to stand where they were. Where the media and non-Jets fans seem to be getting hung up is that Sal Alosi was not coached to stick out his knee and take a player out. He did that on his own. That's why he should have been fired and the book should be closed on this already.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Bobs NFL Picks: Week 14
Well, it took 13 weeks but I have almost completely caught up to Keith after his blazing start. That makes this week uber important, and unfortunately, I just don't see a ton of lines that I love.
Oakland (+4) @ Jacksonville: I don't really buy into either of these teams, but I definitely think that the Raiders will keep the game around a FG.
Packers (-7) @ Detroit: Its crazy to me that the Pack are still playing for a playoff spot, and when they need to win, they usually win big.
Seattle (+5) @ San Fran: Originally, I picked San Fran minus the points but it just didn't seem like a good choice. At 6-6, Seattle needs to win games like this to lock up the division.
Last Week: 3-0
Season: 21-15-3
Oakland (+4) @ Jacksonville: I don't really buy into either of these teams, but I definitely think that the Raiders will keep the game around a FG.
Packers (-7) @ Detroit: Its crazy to me that the Pack are still playing for a playoff spot, and when they need to win, they usually win big.
Seattle (+5) @ San Fran: Originally, I picked San Fran minus the points but it just didn't seem like a good choice. At 6-6, Seattle needs to win games like this to lock up the division.
Last Week: 3-0
Season: 21-15-3
2010 NFL Picks - Week 14
I'm limping towards the finish. Still 7 games over .500.
Oakland @ Jacksonville (-4)
I immediately regret this decision. I believe Indianapolis is going to come back and win the AFC South. Part of that equation is Jacksonville needing to lose. That being said, cross country trip for a West Coast team playing a 1pm game is not a recipe for success.
Denver (-4) @ Arizona
A couple of things at play for me here. The Jason Garrett/Leslie Frazier Effect, Knowshown Moreno hasn't had a game averaging less than 4.5 yards a carry in 4 weeks and Arizona is 29th in the league against the run and John Skelton is starting in Arizona.
**Kansas City @ San Diego (-10)**
I don't want to minimize this game down to one thing but.....BRODIE CROYLE!!! 0-9 as a starter. Couple that with San Diego being in desperation mode and I can't see this being close.
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 22-15-2
Pick of the Week: 8-4-1
Oakland @ Jacksonville (-4)
I immediately regret this decision. I believe Indianapolis is going to come back and win the AFC South. Part of that equation is Jacksonville needing to lose. That being said, cross country trip for a West Coast team playing a 1pm game is not a recipe for success.
Denver (-4) @ Arizona
A couple of things at play for me here. The Jason Garrett/Leslie Frazier Effect, Knowshown Moreno hasn't had a game averaging less than 4.5 yards a carry in 4 weeks and Arizona is 29th in the league against the run and John Skelton is starting in Arizona.
**Kansas City @ San Diego (-10)**
I don't want to minimize this game down to one thing but.....BRODIE CROYLE!!! 0-9 as a starter. Couple that with San Diego being in desperation mode and I can't see this being close.
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 22-15-2
Pick of the Week: 8-4-1
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Ultimate Fighter Season Recap
This, the twelfth , season of The Ultimate Fighter finished with a bang this past weekend at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas. It was a great season, that was capped off with a finale that pitted arguably the 2 best fighters of the season against each other.
To get there, Jonathan Brookins had to defeat the seasoned Kyle Watson in a 3 round fight that was predominantly controlled by Brookins. On the other hand, Michael Johnson fought Nam Phan in an all out brawl that could have gone either way. Coach Josh Koscheck had pinned his hopes on his last remaining fighter, Phan, and was presumably very frustrated to see him lose a split decision (one that I had going in Nam's favor). Now the only thing that can redeem Josh Koscheck and his lackluster coaching performance is to defeat GSP in this weekends UFC124.
The Ultimate Fighter finale started with an interesting fight featuring Nam Phan against UFC talent, Leonard Garcia. One may have thought that Garcia would cake walk through Nam, but not me. Although Nam doesn't have KO power or any particularly unbelievable skill set, he was one of the most complete fighters on the show with incredible endurance. Garcia, whose style tends to be a bit wild, was a good match for Nam. The fight started out relatively evenly, although Id score the first round for Nam because his body work did the most damage. The 2nd and 3rd rounds were as clear as day to me. With the exception of 2 meaningless takedowns, Nam destroyed Garcia. He outclassed him standing up, he showed unbelievable poise, and his stamina remained intact throughout. Yet, as we have seen so many times this year, the judges got it wrong and scored Garcia the victor by split decision.
In another televised fight, Cody Mackenzie fought Aaron Wilkinson in an interesting matchup of styles. As usual, Mackenzie came out extremely aggressive and almost had Wilkinson in a guillotine choke 30 seconds into the fight. They eventually get to the mat where Mackenzie works some ground and pound and controls the fight from top position. At the 3:00 mark, he flips Wilkinson and gets him to tap by guillotining his jaw. Another great display of Mackenzies power when he has his opponent in his choke hold.
In other fights, Demian Maia out performed TUF alum Kendall Grove 29-28 in a unanimous decision and Stephan Bonnar manhandled Igor Pokrajac in a unanimous 29-26 decision.
Onto the finale to determine this seasons winner. Although Michael Johnson was Team GSP's top pick, it was clear that Brookins was the favorite as he mowed through competition all season with his constantly improving jiu-jitsu and overall MMA know-how. This fight starts out in typical fashion for Johnson, with him in total control landing vicious shots on a poorly defending Brookins. On several occasions, it looked like MJ might be able to finish the fight but he was unable to land that one decisive punch. And I thought once it went to round 2, he would be in trouble.
As with previous fights, the first round would prove to be Johnsons best and he was a much less complete fighter in rounds 2 and 3. His timing wasn't the same, his stamina wasn't the same, and more importantly his takedown defense wasn't the same. Brookins controlled the final 2 rounds of the fight to eventually win a unanimous 29-28 decision. Its hard watching someone dominate a round like Johnson only to see him lose the next 2 in frustrating fashion, but thats what makes Brookins so good. He has a great chin and if you give him enough time, he will wear you down on the mat.
It was a great finish to this season of the Ultimate Fighter, but the real conclusion will be this Saturday when coaches Koscheck and GSP collide in UFC 124. Although the trash talk wasnt reciprocal, it is obvious that the disdain is. And the last person I would want to fight with bottled up anger is GSP. So he is my pick to not only win, but to destroy on December 11th.
To get there, Jonathan Brookins had to defeat the seasoned Kyle Watson in a 3 round fight that was predominantly controlled by Brookins. On the other hand, Michael Johnson fought Nam Phan in an all out brawl that could have gone either way. Coach Josh Koscheck had pinned his hopes on his last remaining fighter, Phan, and was presumably very frustrated to see him lose a split decision (one that I had going in Nam's favor). Now the only thing that can redeem Josh Koscheck and his lackluster coaching performance is to defeat GSP in this weekends UFC124.
The Ultimate Fighter finale started with an interesting fight featuring Nam Phan against UFC talent, Leonard Garcia. One may have thought that Garcia would cake walk through Nam, but not me. Although Nam doesn't have KO power or any particularly unbelievable skill set, he was one of the most complete fighters on the show with incredible endurance. Garcia, whose style tends to be a bit wild, was a good match for Nam. The fight started out relatively evenly, although Id score the first round for Nam because his body work did the most damage. The 2nd and 3rd rounds were as clear as day to me. With the exception of 2 meaningless takedowns, Nam destroyed Garcia. He outclassed him standing up, he showed unbelievable poise, and his stamina remained intact throughout. Yet, as we have seen so many times this year, the judges got it wrong and scored Garcia the victor by split decision.
In another televised fight, Cody Mackenzie fought Aaron Wilkinson in an interesting matchup of styles. As usual, Mackenzie came out extremely aggressive and almost had Wilkinson in a guillotine choke 30 seconds into the fight. They eventually get to the mat where Mackenzie works some ground and pound and controls the fight from top position. At the 3:00 mark, he flips Wilkinson and gets him to tap by guillotining his jaw. Another great display of Mackenzies power when he has his opponent in his choke hold.
In other fights, Demian Maia out performed TUF alum Kendall Grove 29-28 in a unanimous decision and Stephan Bonnar manhandled Igor Pokrajac in a unanimous 29-26 decision.
Onto the finale to determine this seasons winner. Although Michael Johnson was Team GSP's top pick, it was clear that Brookins was the favorite as he mowed through competition all season with his constantly improving jiu-jitsu and overall MMA know-how. This fight starts out in typical fashion for Johnson, with him in total control landing vicious shots on a poorly defending Brookins. On several occasions, it looked like MJ might be able to finish the fight but he was unable to land that one decisive punch. And I thought once it went to round 2, he would be in trouble.
As with previous fights, the first round would prove to be Johnsons best and he was a much less complete fighter in rounds 2 and 3. His timing wasn't the same, his stamina wasn't the same, and more importantly his takedown defense wasn't the same. Brookins controlled the final 2 rounds of the fight to eventually win a unanimous 29-28 decision. Its hard watching someone dominate a round like Johnson only to see him lose the next 2 in frustrating fashion, but thats what makes Brookins so good. He has a great chin and if you give him enough time, he will wear you down on the mat.
It was a great finish to this season of the Ultimate Fighter, but the real conclusion will be this Saturday when coaches Koscheck and GSP collide in UFC 124. Although the trash talk wasnt reciprocal, it is obvious that the disdain is. And the last person I would want to fight with bottled up anger is GSP. So he is my pick to not only win, but to destroy on December 11th.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
2-1 isn't going to cut it anymore if Keith keeps doing the same thing, so this week I'm picking 3 winners.
Cleveland (+6) @ Miami: This should be a close game and 2 fg's is enough for me to go with Cleveland.
Carolina @ Seattle (-4.5): Seems too easy.
Raiders (+13) @ San Diego: San Diego is super hot right now, but 13 is an enormous spread.
Last Week: 2-1
Season: 18-15-3
Cleveland (+6) @ Miami: This should be a close game and 2 fg's is enough for me to go with Cleveland.
Carolina @ Seattle (-4.5): Seems too easy.
Raiders (+13) @ San Diego: San Diego is super hot right now, but 13 is an enormous spread.
Last Week: 2-1
Season: 18-15-3
2010 NFL Picks - Week 13
Despite being so wrong about Seattle last week I'm going to go back to them this week.
Chicago (-5.5) @ Detroit
I hate betting against home dogs (especially in division games) but Drew Stanton is starting today. I've been down on Chicago all year and now they're 8-3. I'm going to start taking them more seriously starting right.....now.
New Orleans (-7) @ Cincinnati
Cincinnati is a mess and New Orleans seems to be turning it on. Again, I hate taking road favorites but I see this as a route.
**Carolina @ Seattle (-4.5)**
Back to Seattle at home. They burned me last week but this week they are playing the worst team in football
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 21-13-2
Pick of the Week: 8-3-1
Chicago (-5.5) @ Detroit
I hate betting against home dogs (especially in division games) but Drew Stanton is starting today. I've been down on Chicago all year and now they're 8-3. I'm going to start taking them more seriously starting right.....now.
New Orleans (-7) @ Cincinnati
Cincinnati is a mess and New Orleans seems to be turning it on. Again, I hate taking road favorites but I see this as a route.
**Carolina @ Seattle (-4.5)**
Back to Seattle at home. They burned me last week but this week they are playing the worst team in football
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 21-13-2
Pick of the Week: 8-3-1
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